Malti Chahar Alleges Casting Couch Incident with Senior South Director

Actress Malti Chahar, sister of Indian cricketer Deepak Chahar and a former contestant of Bigg Boss 19, recently opened up about a disturbing casting couch incident she experienced early in her career. According to Malti, a senior South Indian filmmaker, who was of her father’s age, attempted to kiss her inappropriately during a professional meeting.

Malti Chahar Speaks Out

In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan on his podcast, Malti recalled the unsettling incident:

“A casting director never misbehaved with me. But once, a senior director tried to cross the line. This was early in my career, and I was new to the industry. Nobody directly says anything—they gesture, hint, or manipulate situations.”

She explained that the director initially invited her to meet the producer, giving her his room number, which she refused. Later, he called her to understand “how things work in the industry,” but Malti asserted herself and maintained her boundaries.

The Incident

Malti described a particularly disturbing moment:

“While leaving, I hugged him, and in return, he tried to kiss me on the lips. It was extremely inappropriate, and I immediately stopped him. I felt deeply uncomfortable and hurt. He later attempted a similar act after the project concluded, but I made it clear that such behavior was unacceptable.”

She added that the director was a very elderly man, and she had always considered him like a father figure, which made the betrayal even more shocking.

Empowerment and Strength

Reflecting on her experience, Malti emphasized resilience and self-confidence:

“Whatever I hear about casting couch incidents, I realize that some may try, but they fail when they misjudge your strength and discipline. My father gave me a strong foundation to stand firm. The industry may have men trying to misuse their power, but if you are determined and assertive, no one can dominate you.”

Malti’s candid revelation highlights the importance of awareness, courage, and self-respect in navigating the entertainment industry while addressing the ongoing issue of casting couch harassment.

This story underscores the need for stricter policies and safe spaces for women in the film industry, ensuring that talent is respected and protected at all times.